A Classic Talk - please reserve your place and pay on the night

Join us for a feast of nostalgia, celebrating the 60-year heritage of the British Touring Car Championship. From the era of Mini Coopers and Lotus Cortinas to the Vauxhall Vectras and Honda Civics of recent years. Long-time touring car journalist Matt James, has compiled a great book on the BTCC with a chapter for each year featuring a summary of the season, 10 photos showing all the top cars and drivers in action, key statistics and a profile of the champion driver. Anyone who has ever enjoyed touring car racing as a participant, spectator or television viewer will treasure this book. BTCC commentator Alan Hyde will be talking to the author, Matt James, about the Championship and they will be available to sign copies of the book afterwards.

The 1950s. The British Saloon Car Championship was inaugurated in 1958 and from the start it was super-competitive, ending in a tie that was resolved by a shoot-out in favour of Jack Sears.

The 1960s. There were three Mini champions but mainly this was a Ford era, epitomised by Lotus Cortinas (with Jim Clark ever spectacular) and big Falcons, Galaxies and Mustangs from America.

The 1970s. Smaller classes came to the fore in this decade, with three drivers sharing seven titles — Bill McGovern took three in Sunbeam Imps while two apiece went to Bernard Unett (Chrysler Avenger GT) and Richard Longman (Mini 1275GT).

The 1980s. Three drivers also bestrode this decade but in a wider range of cars, including Mazda RX-7, Alfa Romeo GTV, Rover Vitesse and Ford Sierra XR4i; Win Percy and Andy Rouse each took three titles, Chris Hodgetts two.

The 2000s. Vauxhalls were the star cars, taking six titles, while the decade brought three double champions in the form of James Thompson (Vauxhall Astra), Matt Neal (Honda Integra) and Fabrizio Giovanardi (Vauxhall Vectra VXR).

The 2010s. Yet more variety and brilliant racing has characterised the current decade, with Gordon Shedden becoming the winning driver with three titles in Honda Civics.

Doors 6pm - hot food and Members' Bar (open for all)

Event Starts at 7.30pm in the Napier Room

Please park on the Museum site outside of The Paddock, enter via the Brooklands Road gate (marked JTI)